Emerging from the Active Adult and Retirement "Freeze"

Signs are clear that there is more 50+ Active Adult and Retirement housing activity than in a couple of years. At least in most states. For almost three years, many older adults have been in "standby" mode, waiting until the smoke cleared on the stock market and housing downturns to make major lifestyle decisions. Now, we hear reports from operators and managers that 50+ housing and retirement buyers are returning to the marketplace.

A lifestyle housing decision is one that can be postponed as many builders, realtors and retiree attraction professionals have found out in the downturn. But, with the massive aging of America, it's obvious that there is a "pent-up" demand of folks who would prefer to move and are now shopping. Those in the business of building for, marketing to and serving older adults have no where to go but up, business-wise. We have seen the massive financial shock to our system. It has taken older adults longer to trust institutions again.

Now, many of us are back on the ground floor as business returns. And, with the Aging of America expected to move dramatically forward in 2011, many businesses, builders, institutions and towns/cities are gearing up now to capitalize. Don't forget the demographics.